It’s been a long hot Summer here in Florida. However, I’ve been reading, reading and reading. If you missed the Summer book review, click here. For Fall I’ve found 5 books for Fall about women (and mythical women) who are extraordinary. One is an entire oracle deck of mythological women. The rest are true to life. Each has a link so you can download it (or patronize your favorite bookstore). These are the ones you want to read!
Born For Porn?
I don’t know how many girls dream of becoming porn stars, but some apparently do. One such woman is Tasha Reign. The adult industry was her way of life and her fun playground….until it wasn’t. Therefore I was intrigued by her book: From Princess to Porn Star: A Real-Life Cinderella Story by Tasha Reign (Cleis Press June 2023. The story is written by Tasha as a “real-life Cinderella.” A cute Californian who wanted a different kind of life and got it. She writes about how she got into the industry. She talks about some of the actors and behind-the-scenes people. Then she exposes the nastiness that the business includes.
The issues she bring sup are particularly bad for women, but men aren’t left unscathed, either. The author is now an active advocate for women’s rights and women’s sexual freedom. She also works to advance the conditions of sex workers. If you’ve ever thought this was a glamorous industry, you’ll think again after reading this book by Tasha Reign. In the era of “me too,” this is another view of an industry that has largely protected itself. Tasha Reign peels back the seedy layers and moves on in her life, loves, and career. . get this book
Mix Up Some Magic in the Kitchen:
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The Kitchen Witch; by Skye Alexander (Adams Media, July 2023) is also a great gift-able. However, I couldn’t wait to share it so it’s going into this Fall book review now.
You will find the tidbits of information fascinating while you “cook up” spells. Discover the unique properties, qualities, and symbolism of 100 basic ingredients that add “magic” to your meals and your home.
You don’t have to be a real witch with a cupboard full of “eye of newt” to enjoy this book. We’re not talking here about voodoo harmful spells or the use of weird ingredients. These are all for the good. At a little over $26 depending upon where you get it and what format it is in, you have great gift ideas for just about everyone! Get this book.
An Unsung (Until Now) Heroine of WWII:
Another inspiring “Woman Power” book that I liked is Every Ounce of Courage by Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino (self-published, 2023). The author beautifully chronicles a part of her mother’s life that she didn’t know much about. That is until she received a phone call from one of the men her mother helped to save.
As the book unfolds, the author’s mother, Lourdes “Lulu” Reyes Besa becomes involved in wartime activities in the Philippines. The pretty Manilla socialite did charity work before that time. However, during the war, she risked her life to help save the lives of many prisoners during World War II.
Lulu fearlessly went behind enemy lines to help bring aid to Filipino and American POWs. She wasn’t afraid to do whatever it took, even going so far as to flirt with Japanese officers to get what she needed. The book is also nicely illustrated with many photos of LuLu.
This book is a wow! Great reading for women and teenage girls who might need some extra inspiration and motivation in their own lives. get this book
Beauty Icon Rivalry!
When I think of the fierce and ugly rivalry between beauty icons Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden, I am reminded of the phrase “Does Macy’s Tell Gimbels?” This was not attributed to the two beauty entrepreneurs. However, it is a dated statement that means business competitors are not supposed to share trade secrets.
In the case of Rubenstein and Arden, it certainly applies. Now the historical fiction novel A Beautiful Rival by Gill Paul (William Morrow, September 2023) brings their feud to life.
You will learn about the women’s humble beginnings and how they rose to prominence in the beauty world. But their feud takes the two through two world wars and beyond. It was a crazy situation in which women did anything they could to thwart the success of the other. These fascinating women built amazing businesses on their own at a time when most women were “at home.”
This is a historical novel but seems quite nicely researched. I loved reading about their lives, loves, and intrigue. Nothing was off limits to thwart the success of the other. Therefore, their rivalry at times bordered on the ridiculous. Was it greed? Envy? Something else? I don’t know why these women couldn’t get along. However, I read this from beginning to end without a break,! get this book
For Every Woman on Your Gift List!
Readers will dive into the empowering tales of 50 mythic women and explore the wisdom, advice, and symbolism of these powerful figures. From goddesses to heroines, each card includes a description of the mythological figure along with advice on how to apply their lessons to daily life. For just $25 (depending upon where you shop) you will have something special to gift to your friends for fun and self-discovery throughout the year. get these Oracle cards
